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Bucks F challenged head coach after in-season tournament loss

Bobby Portis Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Bucks forward challenged head coach after in-season tournament loss

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 12/8/23

Bobby Portis reportedly challenged Adrian Griffin after the Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday. According to Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes, Griffin was unhappy with Milwaukee's rebounding effort and made his feelings clear in the locker room. However, Portis is reported to have clapped back.

"As one of the leaders of the team, Portis continued on voicing his concerns," Haynes reported. "Griffin welcomed the criticism and acknowledged he could do a better job being more aggressive with his play-calling, sources say. The nine-year veteran explained that it's a two-way street: direction is needed and then it's up to the players to execute, sources say."

Portis' frustrations are the latest development for the disenchanted Bucks. Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo recently made his own frustrations clear as he urged his team to improve defensively during a press conference.

"Right now, we’re not even top 20 in defense, and that’s not who we are," Antetokounmpo said. "In order for you to be really good, you have to be top 10 offense and top 10 defense."

Giannis: “Yesterday we won by 20 but they scored 120 points, that’s not who we are, we were able to keep teams under 100 in previous years so we’ve got to get better, right now we’re not even top 20 in defense and that’s not who we are, in order for you to be really good you have… pic.twitter.com/SIYIrN1FEp
— ³⁴ (@GiannisWorld) December 7, 2023

Milwaukee currently sits 22nd in the NBA's defensive ratings. They're 17th in rebounding percentage. Under Mike Budenholzer, the Bucks built their success on the defensive end. It was their calling card. This season, they haven't been able to figure it out. Part of the issue could be learning how to cover for Damian Lillard, whose offensive talent far outweighs his defensive shortcomings.

However, if the Bucks are going to live up to their potential and the expectations on their shoulders, they need to figure out their defense. There's no use having an elite offensive duo in Giannis and Lillard if they can't shut teams out on the other side of the floor. Giving up 128 points to the Pacers is just another example of their decline on that end.

Griffin is a first-time head coach. He's walked into a franchise that is expected to be among the contenders this season. The pressure is already mounting. He's coaching a team that, for the most part, has been together for multiple years. It's going to take time for Griffin's methodology to sink in and become second nature, but the coach also needs to evolve with the team. Part of being a high-level coach is bending your game plan to the talent at your disposal.

Losing in the semi-finals of the in-season tournament will undoubtedly sting. Nevertheless, the loss could be a wake-up call for the entire franchise. They have to put things right in the coming months. Otherwise, Lillard's wait for a deep postseason run could continue beyond the current season.

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